Key Info

Bachelor/Master of Engineering in Electronic and Computer Engineering

NFQ Level 8 major Award Honours Bachelor Degree/ Level 9 Major Award Honours Masters Degree
CAO points history
433
Course code
LM118
Duration
4/5 Years
Subject area
Engineering
Course Director
Associate Professor Eoin O’Connell
Email
eoin.oconnell@ul.ie
Tel
+353 (0)61 202662
Admissions:
Tel
+353 (0)61 233755

The Electronic and Computer Engineering (ECE) degree programme has been developed in conjunction with employers to meet the demand for graduates with strong skills in computer software and electronic hardware engineering, along with mathematical analysis abilities, to support current and emerging societal needs.

This programme of study will support the development of skills required to develop and employ technologies to tackle many of the challenges of the coming decades including Internet edge devices, climate change, electric vehicles, sustainable development, energy, personalised health and well-being, and artificial intelligence, as well as other innovative areas such as entertainment and autonomous vehicles.

Graduates of this degree programme will play key roles in the research, design, development, test and installation of future systems. They will frequently work in teams to tackle challenging problems. Many of those who graduate from this degree programme also continue their academic studies by pursuing higher degrees by research (e.g., MEng and PhD), or through taught postgraduate programmes (e.g., MSc, MEng, and MBA).

The programme can be undertaken as either a four-year (Bachelor of Engineering, BEng) degree programme or a five-year (Master of Engineering, MEng) degree programme. All students would initially enter the BEng degree programme route, and can either graduate with a BEng degree at the end of the fourth year of study or have the option to continue into the fifth year Masters degree by transferring into the MEng degree programme at the end of the fourth year rather than graduating with a BEng degree.

At the end of the second year, students on the Electronic and Computer Engineering degree programme would select a major option from five major options – Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotic Engineering, Electrical Energy Engineering, and a General option. Core subjects studied will be augmented by student selected elective subjects that allow the student to identify a focus of specific interest.

The programme of study thus offers excellent choice, thereby enhancing the range employment prospects and future career choice options for the student.

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What you will study

The first two years of the programme is common to all students on the programme and will provide a strong practical and theoretical foundation in computing and programming languages, software, digital and analogue electronics, electrical science, and engineering mathematics. During these first two years of the programme, students will be guided towards their choice of a major option to be undertaken in the years three and four of the programme.

In years three and four of the programme, students select one of the available BEng major options, and decide whether they would want to graduate with a BEng degree award or continue their studies into a fifth year to graduate with a MEng degree award. There is also the opportunity to choose a General option, where students can select modules from the various major option streams rather than specialising on a single major option.

Work experience is obtained through an eight-month period of Cooperative Education (Co-op), which is an integral part of the programme. Co-op will provide students with real-world industrial experience and practice. This will be taken in the summer at the end of second year and the first semester of the third year of the programme.

In year four, the final year of the BEng programme, students aiming to graduate with a BEng degree will undertake a major individual project, which in general aims to solve a real-world problem. The project involves advanced design and implementation work, and builds confidence by putting into practice the skills and knowledge that have been acquired throughout the programme of study.

Master of Engineering (MEng) Track (year five). The MEng track enables students to gain a broader and deeper understanding of a range of advanced topics in electronic & computer engineering including integrated circuit (IC) design, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cryptography and security, data forensics, and network security, amongst others. Students will also undertake a major individual project. Students will select the MEng track in year three of the programme, and will study the MEng track subjects in year 4.

Major Options

Computer Engineering

Computer engineers will work in important application areas that include mobile phone systems, gaming, medical diagnostic and monitoring equipment, the Internet, edge devices, smart transport and energy management systems. Material covered in this option includes:

  • Software - software engineering, distributed and real-time software design, advanced operating systems, language processors
  • Digital Electronics - integrated circuits (ICs), computer architectures
  • Control – advanced control systems, machine vision
  • Data and Telecommunications - networks, communications, protocols, security
  • Signal Processing - digital signal processing, coding theory

Electronic Engineering

Electronic Engineers have brought us mobile phones, digital cameras, security systems, improved weather forecasting, electronic medical devices and so many other things that we now take for granted. Material covered in this option includes:

  • Electronic Circuit Design - integrated circuits (ICs), analogue circuits, digital circuits, mixed-signal circuits
  • Data and Telecommunications - networks, communications, protocols
  • Electrical Engineering - power systems, power electronics, electromagnetics
  • Control - advanced control systems, sensors and actuators
  • Signal Processing - signal processing, VLSI signal processing

Electrical Energy Engineering

Recent times have seen a worldwide shift towards a refocused commitment on the topic of energy. Electrical energy power engineering is an important element of this activity and there is an increasing need for engineers in this discipline to work on new solutions for the electrical energy grid based on wind, solar, ocean, wave and other renewable forms of energy. Material covered in this option includes:

  • Electrical Engineering - power systems, power electronics, electromagnetics
  • Physics - thermal physics, mechanical energy, electrical energy
  • Control - advanced control systems, sensors and actuators
  • Environment - advanced electronics for the built environment

Robotic Engineering

Robotics is an exciting area of computer-controlled technology. Robotic applications are found in space exploration, deep-ocean systems, transport, product manufacturing, medical equipment, entertainment systems etc. Material covered in this option includes:

  • Robotics - advanced robotics systems, artificial intelligence, machine vision
  • Control - advanced control systems, digital control systems
  • Software - software engineering, distributed and real-time software design
  • Automation - industrial automation, sensors and actuators

General Option

This General option is aimed at students who have a broad interest in the areas of electronic and computer engineering, and want to explore several topics of the prescribed major options.

LM118 Programme of Study in more detail

Students will initially register for the LM118 BEng in Electronic and Computer Engineering degree programme and can opt to study for four years (BEng degree) or five years (MEng degree). The LM118 programme is broken into two parts:

Part 1: Years one and two are common to all the degree options.

Part 2: Years three and four for all degree options have some common modules, but the programme has been designed to offer specialist modules in each option area.

Students who opt to complete the programme after four years will graduate with a BEng degree award. For students who opt to continue onto the MEng degree track will transfer onto the LM806 MEng degree at the end of year four rather than graduating with the BEng degree award:

  • Year 5 (year 1 of the LM806 programme) offers specialist modules that can be selected by the student.
  Semester 1   Semester 2
CH4001 Chemistry for Engineers CE4702 Computer Software 2
EE4001 Electrical Engineering 1 EE4012 Circuit Analysis 1
EE4011 Engineering Computing EE4022 Semiconductor Device Fundamentals
ME4001 Engineering Mathematics 1 EE4522 Digital Systems 1
ME4121 Introduction to Engineering 1 MA4002 Engineering Mathematics 2
MA4001 Engineering Science 1    
  Semester 3   Semester 4
CE4703 Computer Software 3 EE4044 Communications & Network Protocol
EE4003 The Engineer as a Professional EE4214 Control 1
EE4313 Active Circuit Design 1 EE4314 Active Circuit Design 2
EE4523 Digital Systems 2 EE4524 Digital Systems 3
MA4003 Engineering Mathematics 3 MA4004 Engineering Mathematics 4

Each student will complete their Cooperative Education placement during the summer at the end of year two and into semester one of year three. Students, whilst on Cooperative Education, will be asked to select their BEng major option for semester two of year three.  Students will also state wither they wish to graduate with a BEng degree award at the end of year four or to continue onto the MEng degree track at the end of year four the further year of the programme.  All students will however follow one of the following BEng major options in year three.

Year 3 Semester 2 Year 4 Semester 1 Year 4 Semester 2
CE4206 Operating Systems 2 CE4706 Software Engineering CE4208 Distributed Systems
CE4717 Language Processors CE4607 Computer Networks 1 EE6032 Communication and Security Protocols
EE4816 Signals & Systems 1 CE4041 Artificial Intelligence CE4518 Computer Architectures
EE4034 Telecommunication Fundamentals EE6621 ASICs 1 (Digital ASICs) RE4012 Machine Vision
EE4216 Control 2 EE4907 Final Year Project 1 EE4908 Final Year Project 2
Year 3 Semester 2 Year 4 Semester 1 Year 4 Semester 2
EE4317 Active Circuits 4 EE6621 ASICs 1 EE6622 ASICs 2 (Analogue ASICs)
ET4224 Sensors & Actuators CE4607 Computer Networks 1 EE4032 Tensor and GPU Fundamentals
EE4816 Signals & Systems EE4031 Modern Electrical Power Systems EE4038 Power Electronics
EE4034 Telecommunication Fundamentals ET4021 Electronics LIfe Cycle Engineering EE4117 Electromagnetics
EE4216 Control 2 EE4907 Final Year Project 1 EE4908 Final Year Project 2
Year 3 Semester 2 Year 4 Semester 1 Year 4 Semester 2
EE4034 Telecommunications Fundamentals CE4817 Digital Signal Processing EE4117 Electromagnetics
EE4024 Electrical Energy EE4031 Modern Electrical Power Systems EE4038 Power Electronics
EE4216 Control 2 ET4031 Electrical Automation EE4042 Energy Demand Management
EE4816 Signals & Systems 1 PH4003 Mechanical Energy PH4042 Thermal Physics
ET4224 Sensors & Actuators EE4907 Final Year Project 1 EE4908 Final Year Project 2
Year 3 Semester 2 Year 4 Semester 1 Year 4 Semester 2
CE4206 Operating Systems 2 CE4041 Artificial Intelligence RE4002 Spatial Robotics
ET4224 Sensors & Actuators CE4817 Digital Signal Processing EE6452 Digital Control
EE4816 Signals & Systems CE4706 Software Engineering CE4208 Distributed Systems
EE4034 Telecommunications Fundamentals ET4031 Electrical Automation RE4012 Machine Vision
EE4216 Control 2 EE4907 Final Year Project 1 EE4908 Final Year Project 2
Year 3 Semester 2 Year 4 Semester 1 Year 4 Semester 2
EE4034 Telecommunications Fundamentals CE4607 Computer Networks 1 CE4208 Distributed Systems
EE4216 Control 2 CE4707 Software Engineering CE4518 Computer Architectures
EE4816 Signals & Systems CE4041 Artificial Intelligence EE4117 Electromagnetics
  Electives (Choose 2) CE4817 Digital Signal Processing EE4032 Tensor and GPU Fundamentals
CE4206 Operating Systems 2 EE4031 Modern Electrical Power Systems EE4038 Power Electronics
CE4717 Language Processors EE6621 ASICs 1 (Digital ASICs) EE6622 ASICs 2 (Analogue ASICs)
EE4024 Electrical Energy ET4031 Electrical Automation EE6032 Communication and Security Protocols
EE4317 Active Circuits 4 ET4021 Electronics Life Cycle Engineering EE6452 Digital Control
ET4224 Sensors and Actuators EE4907 Final Year Project 1 EE4042 Energy Management & Technology
        RE4002 Spatial Robotics
        EE4908 Final Year Project 2

Master of Engineering (MEng) in Electronic & Computer Engineering degree track and options (semester 2 in year 3 is common with the BEng degree track with a selected major option)

Year 4 Semester 1 Year 4 Semester 2
CE4041 Artificial Intelligence CE4518 Computer Architecture
CE4607 Computer Networks 1 EE4052 Master of Engineering Project Preparation
CE4817 Digital Signal Processing 1 EE4117 Electromagnetics 1
  Elective (Choose 2)   Elective (Choose 2)
CE4706 Software Engineering 1 CE4208 Distributed Systems
EE4031 Modern Electrical Power Systems EE4042 Energy Demand Management
EE6621 ASICs (Digital ASICs) EE4038 Power Electronics
EP4407 Enterprise Development EE6622 ASICs 2 (Analogue ASICs)
ET4021 Electronics Life Cycle Engineering RE4002 Spatial Robotics
ET4031 Electrical Automation RE4012 Machine Vision

 

Year 5 Semester 1 Year 5 Semester 2
EE6061 Integrated Master of Engineering Project 1 EE6062 Integrated Master of Engineering Project 2
  Elective (Choose 3)   Elective (Choose 3)
CS6501 Machine Learning and Applications CS6502 Applied Big Data and Visualization
EE4031 Modern Electrical Power Systems EE4032 Tensor and GPU Fundamentals
EE6011 Cryptography and Security Fundamentals EE4038 Power Electronics
EE6021 Test Development Engineering EE4042 Energy Demand Management
EE6041 Text Analytics and Natural Language Processing EE6012 Data Forensics
EE6461 Information Theory and Coding EE6032 Communication and Security Protocols
EE6621 ASICs 1 (Digital ASICs) EE6042 Network and Host Security
ET4021 Electronics Life Cycle Engineering EE6452 Digital Control
ET4031 Electrical Automation EE6622 ASICs 2 (Analogue ASICs)
    ME6121 Engineering in a Circular Economy
    RE4002 Spatial Robotics

Entry requirements

CAO points history
433
Minimum grades

Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher Level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English.

Subject requirements

In addition, applicants must hold a minimum grade H4 in Mathematics and a grade O6/H7 in any one of the following: Physics, Chemistry, Physics with Chemistry, Engineering, Computer Science, Construction Studies, Design & Communication Graphics/Technical Drawing, Technology, Biology, Agricultural Science, Applied Maths.

Additional considerations

A Special Mathematics Examination will be offered at UL following the Leaving Certificate results for those students who did not achieve the Mathematics requirement.

We welcome applications from mature students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February.

Application information for mature student applicants (PDF)

QQI Entry

Certain QQI Awards are acceptable in fulfilling admission requirements for this programme. Visit the UL Undergraduate Admissions QQI site for a full list of modules.

Non-EU Entry Requirements

How to apply

Where are you applying from? How to Apply
Ireland Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. 
The UK  Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. 
The EU EU students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website.
Non-EU country If you are outside of the EU, you can apply for this degree here.

Fees and funding

Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.

A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.

An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.

EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €4,262
SUSI pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €4,262
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant

Student pays Tuition Fees €4,262
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

Non-EU Students

Student pays Tuition Fees €20,900
Student pays Student Levy €100
€21,000

Student course fees are comprised of the following components:

Student Contribution

Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.

Student Levy

All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €100. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.

Tuition Fees

These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.

Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows

  1. Residency
    • You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
  2. Citizenship
    • You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
  3. Course Requirements (all must be met)
    • You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
    • You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
    • You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)

Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -

  • Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
  • EU Fee Status: You satisfy both the citizenship and residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees.
  • Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.

More information about fees can be found on the Finance website

These scholarships are available for this course

Title Award Scholarships Available
Innovative Student Engineer of the Year Awards €1,500 and a trophy 1
Intel Shannon "Paul Whelan" Scholarship €2,500 for the remainder of your degree
Intel, Shannon Women in Technology Scholarship €2,000 grant for the remainder of your degree
Johnson and Johnson WiSTEM2D Programme
Robbie McAdam Commemorative Scholarship €7,000 1
The Ei Electronics Women in Engineering Scholarship €2,500 for 3 years 1
Women in Engineering Bursary Awards €500 8

These scholarships are available for all courses

Your future career

Graduates of the Electronic and Computer Engineering programme will build successful careers in a wide range of application areas, including research, design and development of:

  • Mobile and Wireless Systems
  • Software Engineering
  • Computer Systems and Networks
  • Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
  • Security and Forensics
  • Game Systems
  • Telecommunication Systems
  • Integrated Circuit Technology
  • Energy Production & Distribution Systems
  • Smart Energy Management
  • Electrical Power Systems
  • Sensors and Sensor Networks
  • Biomedical Electronics
  • Automation Control Systems
  • Robotics
  • Automotive and Aerospace electronics

Engineers often move quickly into senior management and consultancy positions, using their analytical approach to project management and problem solving. There are also worldwide opportunities for advanced study and research, and graduates can diversify into many other areas such as business, medicine and law.

The Bachelor of Engineering (BE) programmes in UL are accredited by Engineers Ireland (EI). This is an internationally recognised professional engineering accreditation. The new BE in Electronic and Computer engineering will be accredited once students have graduated from the programme, in accordance with Engineers Ireland rules.